According to the latest news published on NDTV, Vince McMohan’s World Wrestling Entertainment is on the edge of being sold to Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor Group which is the parent company of UFC, reported by the New York Post.
Endeavors is all set to acquire WWE in an all-stock deal according to the people who reported to Reuters about this matter and as the matter is confidential, the sources have requested their anonymity on all grounds. The deal is going to be announced anytime this week. Endeavour shareholders are about to own 51% of the combat along with the entertainment company, while the remaining percentage will be shared by WWE shareholders, as per the sources who reported to CNBC. Last Friday, the shares of WWE which had earlier risen to 30% this year, closed at $91.26, securing a capitalization of $11.3 billion for the company, reported by Reuters.
Emanuel has always dreamt and worked to transform Endeavor into a sports and entertainment powerhouse, securing over 20 acquisitions. Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel’s investments in bull riding vets fashion shows and the Madrid and Miami Open tennis competitions, he has sought to diversify the company. The company builds up a legacy dating back to representing film and television talent. His major role in holding the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the world’s largest martial arts organization in 2016 in a deal of $4.2 billion has made him acquire the remaining stake in the company along with its IPOs, 5 years down the line.
According to Emanuel, Endeavors earns its benefits from the rising value of owning a source which is a popular asset sport. Last January, WWE talked about reaching out and exploring strategic options including a sale, after Vince McMahon’s return to the company. It hired the law firm Kirkland & Ellis and the Riane Group with all their advisers for the review. Last year McMohan has retired in July as the company’s CEO and chairman and his daughter, Stephanie McMahon has resigned as the company’s co-CEO and chairmans less than a week after her father’s return to the board. A strategic review was launched upon McMohan’s return to the company, which holds a majority of the company’s stock. It was done to negotiate a sale before WWE’s media rights. It also included programs like ‘Smackdown’ that came up for renegotiation, according to the published reports.
Thus, after seven decades in the McMohan family, WWE will finally have a new owner. The report of WWE being absorbed into the Endeavor Group was shared last Sunday by Alex Sherman of CNBC. He added that UFC and WWE are expected to form a new publicly traded company as a part of the agreement. The company has been McMohan’s asset since 1953 when they founded the Capitol Wrestling Corporation in New York City. Later, from WWF it changed its name to WWE in 2002. CEO of Endeavor will reportedly lead the company from now onwards in both its current and future state. It has also been reported that WWE has spent the past several months looking for a potent buyer. D.ana White will remain as president of UFC while WWE CEO Nick Khan will serve as the wrestling business president.